A dental nurse trainee works in a dentist’s office during the day and studies for the dental nurse qualifying exams at night and on weekends. The specific training requirements for dental nurses vary jurisdiction, but in most cases, the position is similar to a paid internship or apprenticeship. Typically, trainees are not students. Rather, they substitute their training experience for a university education. At the end of their training, the majority will take a series of exams to earn a dental nursing certificate or diploma.
The primary goal of a dental nurse trainee is to master the fundamental skills required for success in the field. This is usually divided into two categories: hands-on and book learning. In most cases, the hands-on portion takes place in a dentist’s office. Trainees frequently serve as junior assistants, observing, learning, and honing their skills. When a dental nurse trainee is not in the office, she or he is usually studying for qualifying exams in order to gain credentialing and work more independently.
A dental nurse trainee works as an assistant to dentists and full-fledged dental nurses during the day. The trainee’s primary responsibility is to observe, but with practice and time, he or she can often practice and perform basic procedures. Starting with administrative records and patient files, a trainee can progress to patient interaction, teeth cleaning, and oral hygiene maintenance.
Often, completing a trainee program is the first step in pursuing a career as a dental nurse. Trainees are usually given the opportunity to try out a variety of skills and observe complex procedures. More senior practitioners usually encourage them to ask a lot of questions and provide structured guidance and criticism. This period of observation and hands-on learning is required for career advancement in many countries.
Almost all traineeships are designed to allow participants to combine work experience and independent study. Most evenings and weekends are free for trainees to study for national or regional qualifying exams. Exams vary jurisdiction, but they are typically designed to assess both practical knowledge and text-based learning.
Some students enroll in exam review courses, but the majority of their studying is done on their own. Typically, dental nursing associations publish study guidelines and materials for candidates to review, as well as practice exams. Some of the questions are formulaic, but the majority are intended to determine whether the candidate has completed the necessary training. While it is possible to pass a certificate exam without having completed a formal traineeship, most testing boards do not allow this.
More permanent dental nurse positions become available after a dental nurse trainee passes his or her exams. An initial trainee job placement can sometimes lead to more permanent employment. Although trainee positions are not always intended to lead to full-time employment, this is frequently the case. The trainee’s attitude, skills, and how he or she interacted with the more permanent members of the dental practice all play a role.